District courts are courts of general jurisdiction. They will hold jury trials. They will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, real property rights, estate. District courts have exclusive juristiction over domestic relations, mental health, appeals from administrative agencies and civil cases in lower courts, criminal appeals from lower courts and juvenile matters. the district courts is a court of record. Please see NMAC 1.017.0230 for the retention schedule for the records of the district courts. See New Mexico District Courts Directory for a list of all NM district courts.
Magistrate Court
Magistrate courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. They will hold jury trials. They will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony preliminary hearings; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI and other traffic violations. The Magistrate Court is not a court of record. Please see NMAC 1.017.0218 for the retention schedule for the records of magistrate courts.
Municipal Court
Municipal are courts of limited jurisdiction. They are strictly for criminal and civil violations. There are no jury trials. They will hear these types of cases: Petty misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, traffic violations and other municipal ordinance violations. The Municipal Court is not a court of record.
Probate Court
Probate courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. There are no jury trials. They hear only uncontested cases. Contested cases go to district court. They will hear these types of cases: Informal probate and estate cases. The Probate Court is not a court of record.
Navajo Circuit Court
The Navajo Nation courts have general civil jurisdiction and limited criminal jurisdiction. Their civil jurisdiction covers all persons (Indian and non-Indian) who reside in Navajo Indian Country or have caused an action to occur in Navajo Indian Country. Their criminal jurisdiction covers all crimes codified in the Navajo Nation Code along with its terms of punishment. The Navajo Nation courts have criminal jurisdiction over Indians and non-Indians who have assumed tribal relations with Navajos. The Navajo Nation courts can sentence a person to a maximum of one year in jail or a $5,000 fine or both. The Navajo Nation family courts have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving domestic relations, probate, adoption, paternity, custody, child support, guardianship, mental health commitments, mental and/or physical incompetence, name changes, and all matters arising under the Navajo Nation Children's Code. The Navajo Nation district courts have jurisdiction over all other cases, including land disputes. The Navajo Nation Supreme Court has jurisdiction over appeals of final decisions of the trial courts and certain administrative agencies. It also has jurisdiction to issue special writs.
Court of Record: A court whose proceedings and decisions are retained as a permanent record.
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